page_title: James Pelly-Fry
section_title: Operation Oyster
hierarchical_section_title: James Pelly-Fry / Second World War / Operation Oyster
caption_attribution_description: English: Operation OYSTER, the daylight attack on the Philips radio and valve works at Eindhoven, Holland, by No. 2 Group. Douglas Bostons fly over the burning Emmasingel lamp and valve factory at the height of the raid. The works were so severely hit that full production was not resumed for six months.
context_page_description: James Ernest Pelly-Fry, DSO was an officer in the Royal Air Force. His war career alternated between flying in operational squadrons and serving as an aide for senior commanders. His many appointments gave him the opportunity to view the events of the European War from a command level as well as an operational level. Following the war he spent a brief amount of time as an airline pilot before returning to the RAF. He represented the RAF at a series of NATO conferences, where he formed valuable relationships with a number of national leaders. He had a lifelong interest in aeromodeling, and was a worldwide figure in that hobby. He is best known for leading the low-level daylight raid against the Philips plant in Eindhoven, known as Operation Oyster.
context_section_description: Toward the end of November Pelly-Fry was called in to his commander's office. "There's to be a big show soon, Pelly" said Group Captain Denis Barnett. "It will need a lot of practice. It's to be a low level affair. The big problem will be getting a large group of aircraft to arrive at very precise times, and we shall be using different types of aircraft" This was Pelly's introduction to Operation Oyster, a major mission he would lead in daylight over the Netherlands.
  The mission was against the Philips works in Eindhoven, a large electronics manufacturing interest and research center. The Philips factories were thought to supply Germany with a third of the radio tubes used in its military radio communication equipment. The target was beyond the range of escort fighters. A high-level night attack by Bomber command had been ruled out, as it would result in a great many civilian casualties. As almost all of 2 Group was committed to the raid, three different types of bombers were involved. On 6 December 1942 Pelly-Fry led the eight squadrons tasked with destroying the Philips factories at Eindhoven.
  As mission leader his aircraft was first to the target. The low level attack left no room for error. As he made his approach to the factory his aircraft suffered flak damage to the starboard wing and engine. The starboard wing dropped and he was flying at 90 degrees vertical from the ground, but he was able to pull it back. Regaining some control of his aircraft, he delivered his four 500 pound bombs on the Emmasingel vacuum tube works. He was so low during the attack that German anti-aircraft gunners on the roof were actually firing down at him. The damage to his starboard wing made it a struggle to get his aircraft to turn to port and home. He was forced to continue north and flew out through the dockside cranes of Rotterdam. Chased at the coast by  a pair of Focke-Wulf 190s, he managed to evade their fire and made it back to England. Crossing over the channel, his port engine went in and out of trim. He struggled to keep the aircraft aloft. Reaching England, he asked if his crew would want to take to the chutes, but they all elected to stay with the aircraft. Pelly did a wheels up landing on a field, and everyone was able to get out alive. Inspecting the aircraft afterwards, he could see that the entire starboard aileron had been shot away.
  Nine Venturas, four Bostons and one Mosquito had been lost in the operation, but the Phillips factory had been effectively demolished. It was 6 months before it resumed production. Pelly-Fry was awarded the DSO for his role in Operation Oyster, the most famous and successful operation conducted by 2 Group.
  When Pelly-Fry visited the works while serving with the RAF after the war, he was apologetic to the Phillips directors for the destruction he had caused their plant. They were gracious hosts, and made him very welcome. "I am sorry for knocking your plant down" offered Pelly. "No hard feelings" Philips chairman Frans Otten replied, adding with a smile, "As you can see, we have a much better one now."
  Near the completion of his tour in October 1943 Pelly-Fry was, to his astonishment, appointed Air Equerry to Britain’s King George VI. The position was as an aide to the King, and did not require Pelly to pilot the King's aircraft. He moved into Buckingham Palace and accompanied the royal family in their travels. Several months later he discreetly arranged to return to active service.
  Now with the rank of group captain, Pelly-Fry was assigned as station commander of the airfield at RAF Holme-on-Spalding Moor in Yorkshire. The field supported Halifax bombers in the night bombing campaign over Germany. Prior to arriving he had to be checked out in the four engine bomber, and cleared to fly it day or night. Responsible for 3,500 station service personnel, the well being of the aircrews was his primary concern. The inevitable failure of aircraft to return and resultant loss of life of the aircrews he found deeply troubling. Though he was involved in the day to day running of the facility, when 76 
caption: The Philips plant is hit during the Eindhoven raid
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